Search Results (30)

Plantain (Musa paradisiaca) peel is an agro-industrial waste product with remarkable functional potential, attributed to its composition of bioactive compounds with antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. Given this scenario, this scoping review aimed to map and synthesize the scientific evidence regarding the nutritional composition and potential functionalities of plantain peel. A scoping review approach was used, and data were reported using the PRISMA-ScR checklist. The studies evaluating the use of plantain peel were included without restrictions on language or publication date. The following databases were searched: Embase, MEDLINE (via PubMed), Scopus, and Web of Science. Additional searches were conducted through Google Scholar. The protocol has been registered prospectively on the Open Science Framework. This review’s findings included 53 studies. All of them presented methodological limitations that hindered further analysis and the generation of robust evidence. This analysis detailed the chemical composition of the peel, showing that it varies with ripeness stage and processing and is an excellent source of fiber and minerals. Several technological applications are explored, including the use of peel in the production of functional foods, the development of nanoparticles with antimicrobial activity, and its use as a substrate for the biosynthesis of industrial enzymes and citric acid. This review also addresses the possible health benefits that have already been studied in animal and in vitro models. Plantain peel is a promising agro-industrial by-product with high fiber, starch, and bioactive compound content and functional properties. Despite advances, challenges in sensory acceptance and process standardization limit industrial application. A key research gap remains in the systematic evaluation of antinutrient reduction (e.g., oxalates, phytates) and pesticide residue levels during the processing of plantain peel, a mandatory step before its widespread application in the food industry (e.g., flours and food additives). Further research on optimization and bioactive mechanisms is essential to enable its large-scale use and strengthen its role in the circular bioeconomy and human health. Full article

Currently, the packaging sector must continue developing more sustainable systems to reduce the high quantities of single-use plastic waste generated. This study evaluated the production and characterization of bio-based composite trays with antimicrobial activity. Different formulations of polybutylene adipate co-terephthalate (PBAT) and polylactic acid (PLA) with polyethylene glycol (PEG) as plasticizer and citric acid as a compatibilizer/crosslinker were evaluated, in addition to the inclusion of plantain microfibers (PFs), TiO₂, and menthol as reinforcing and antimicrobial agents, respectively. The mixtures were subjected to pellet extrusion (165/175/185/190 °C and 60 rpm) and then to flat sheet extrusion (at 185/190/195/205 °C and 60 rpm), besides calendering (at 3.5–6.0 rpm). A single-screw extruder was used in both cases. The obtained sheets (0.317 ± 0.040 mm thick and 17 cm wide) were molded into 12.5 × 11.0 × 3.5 cm trays in a thermoforming machine (at 325 °C and vacuum pressure). For the resulting composite sheets and trays, measurements of mechanical strength, moisture absorption, barrier (WVTR), transmittance, and color were performed. FT-IR, DSC, TGA, SEM, and in vitro antimicrobial tests were also conducted. Based on these tests, an initial formulation with an 85/15 (w/w) PLA/PBAT ratio was defined, which was then reinforced with 3% (w/w) PF. Furthermore, the inclusion of 5% (w/w) menthol in the composite led to fungistatic activity against Botrytis cinerea, also resulting in homogeneous sheets (tensile strength 24.137 ± 1.439 MPa) and trays (compressive strength 0.113 ± 0.010 MPa). These findings can be applied to the packaging and preservation of perishable produce. Full article

This study evaluated the biogas generation potential of kitchen waste from five restaurants and traditional halls at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) through anaerobic digestion. A total of 6868 kg of peels from cassava, plantain, and yam were generated and processed during the study period, from which representative samples were collected and analyzed for total solids, volatile solids, and ash content. The waste showed high biodegradability, with methane yields between 0.45–0.52 m³ CH₄/kg, surpassing conventional livestock manure. These results demonstrate that institutional kitchen waste offers a sustainable substrate for decentralized biogas production, supporting circular economy initiatives and providing a low-cost solution for energy and waste management in West African campuses. Full article

The aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of agro-industrial waste from C. cajan shell, plantain peels (Musa spp.), and Zea mays cob husk on in situ ruminal degradation kinetics and in vitro gas production. Rumen degradation of DM in the soluble fraction (A) was higher (p = 0.0001) in plantain peel (37.5%). The insoluble but potentially degradable fraction (B) was higher (p = 0.0001) in C. Cajan shell (71.7%). Regarding the degradation rate in percentage per hour (c: 0.13%/h), degradation potential (A + B: 86.3%) and effective degradation at the different passage rates (k) (0.02: 79.6%, 0.05: 72.4%, and 0.08: 67.3% k, respectively), it was higher (p < 0.05) in the plantain peels. Rumen NDF degradation was higher (p < 0.05) in plantain peels for all degradation parameters (A + B: 80.8, k: 0.02: 57.1%, 0.05: 44.9%, and 0.08: 37.6%, respectively). Total gas production kinetics (D; 333.3 mLgas/0.5 g degraded DM) and gas production at 24, 48, and 96 h were lower (p = 0.0001) in plantain peels. CH₄ production was low (p = 0.0001) in plantain peels at all evaluated times (24 h: 32.7, 48 h: 37.9, and 96 h: 53.5 mL/0.5 g degraded DM). CO₂ production was lower (p < 0.05) in C. Cajan and plantain peels at all evaluated times. Under the conditions of this study, it can be concluded that the use of plantain peels (Musa spp.) can be beneficial to animals when incorporated into the diet, as it contains a similar protein content to tropical forages, as well as low fiber content, high ruminal degradation, and secondary compounds that benefit energy maximization by mitigating enteric gas production in ruminants. Full article

C footprint is a feature used to search the integral life cycle of a product to predict its environmental impact. The packaging industry is changing rapidly to the production of biodegradable products to mitigate the negative environmental consequences of the use of single-use packages. It is thought that biodegradable packages should be more sustainable than traditional plastics due to the sources of the raw materials used to produce them, but this is not always true and depends on the issues considered, the methodology, and the scale analyzed. Limited research includes case studies from developing countries where waste management is less efficient and where the environmental impacts of single-use packaging can be more significant. This paper evaluates the C footprint of bags and dishes made from traditional or local biodegradable sources in an Amazonian settlement of Colombia, such as thermoplastic cassava starch and powdered plantain leaves, to evaluate the impact of locally made biodegradable packaging vs. imported petrochemical ones. Results show that using local raw materials and in situ production reduces the C footprint of biodegradable packages, considering that the energy source for production and transport are important contributors to the C footprint beyond the raw materials used, with ratios that can be between 0.1 and 7 times more kg CO₂ eq generated per functional unit. Full article

The present study investigates the hypothesis that green plantain peel (GPP) could be used as a functional ingredient to enrich fermented milk, thus improving its nutritional profile and bioactive content. The objective of the present study was to develop a fermented milk product with added GPP and to evaluate its physical–chemical, technological, microbiological, and sensory characteristics, as well as the bioaccessibility of bioactive compounds after in vitro digestion (INFOGEST). The methodological strategy involved the formulation of four treatments: one control (Fermented Milk Control, FMC) and three with different concentrations of cooked plantain peel (5%—FM5, 10%—FM10, and 20%—FM20). The results demonstrated that the incorporation of peel had a significant impact on the technological properties, resulting in increased syneresis and color change. In contrast, pH and acidity were more influenced by storage duration. Lactic acid bacteria demonstrated viability at probiotic concentrations (≥10⁶ CFU/mL) for a duration of up to 11 days. The incorporation of GPP resulted in a substantial increase in the phenolic compound content and antioxidant activity of the product, with the FM20 treatment showing the highest antioxidant activity (DPPH: 1555 ± 16 µmol TE/mL, ABTS: 576 ± 29 µmol TE/mL, FRAP: 2427 ± 58 µmol Fe²⁺/mL) compared to FMC. Sensory analysis revealed that texture and color were the most influential attributes, with formulations FM5 and FM10 being the most accepted, as indicated by an acceptability index above 82%. The simulated in vitro digestion led to an increase in the measurable phenolic content and a corresponding enhancement of antioxidant activity. This suggests that the digestive process enhances the release of these compounds from the food matrix, thereby increasing their bioaccessibility. Full article

Colombia, due to its agricultural and livestock diversity, has significant potential for electricity generation from residual biomass. This study proposes a methodological framework to evaluate the most appropriate conversion technologies for the Colombian context, considering both technical and territorial factors. Through a review of thermochemical, biochemical, and physical methods, the available technologies and their respective energy products were identified. A national inventory of homogeneous residues by department was then developed, revealing that livestock waste accounts for 52.03% of the total, followed by banana residues (12.44%) and plantain residues (10.73%). These data were incorporated into a decision matrix linking regional residue availability with technological compatibility. The results emphasize the high feasibility of anaerobic digesters, ethanol bioreactors, gasifiers, and pyrolysis reactors, depending on the type and volume of residues. Furthermore, electricity generation remains largely concentrated in sugarcane bagasse from sugar mills in the southwest, highlighting the need to diversify applications in other regions. The proposed decision matrix provides a practical tool to prioritize technologies at the territorial level, positioning anaerobic digestion, bioethanol production, gasification, and pyrolysis as the most promising options to diversify Colombia’s energy matrix and strengthen regional energy resilience. Full article

The existence of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in aquatic environments presents significant challenges to both the environment and public health. This study examines the adsorption efficacy of six organic adsorbents, such as three commercial (coconut shells [CS], palm kernel shells [PKS], and graphite [GR]) and three waste-based materials (plantain peels [PP], water hyacinth leaves [WHL], and corn cobs [CC]) for DOM removal. The waste-derived adsorbents were prepared using thermal and chemical activation techniques, while the commercial adsorbents were used in their standard forms. Adsorption experiments were conducted and analyzed using both kinetic and isotherm models to evaluate removal efficiency and underlying mechanisms. Kinetic modeling revealed that CS, PP, CC, and GR followed pseudo-second-order kinetics, PKS conformed to pseudo-first-order kinetics, and WHL exhibited intra-particle diffusion dominance. The Freundlich isotherm model effectively characterizes the adsorption equilibrium for every material, indicating the multilayer adsorption and heterogeneity of the adsorbent surfaces. Among all tested materials, GR showed the highest DOM removal efficiency (up to 96%) and excellent thermal stability, making it the most effective adsorbent overall. WHL also showed competitive performance, while CS emerged as the most economically viable option despite having slightly lower removal efficiency. Surface area alone does not guarantee adsorption efficiency. Pore accessibility (governed by size/distribution) and surface chemistry (functional group diversity) are equally critical. The findings suggest that both commercial and waste-derived adsorbents hold promise for sustainable and cost-effective water treatment applications. Integrating such materials could enhance the circular economy and offer scalable solutions for addressing water quality issues in developing regions. Full article

The Caribbean faces many environmental issues, and the mitigation and adaptation strategies to address the challenges of global warming are not sufficient in this geographical region. Considering that agriculture is a relevant activity in most countries around this region, our study proposes to enhance Caribbean waste management by transitioning to a sustainable and resilient process in the framework of a green, circular economy. The research has been focused on the thermochemical transformation of the typical residues of Caribbean farm products (plantain rachis, and cassava peel). Biochar samples were synthesized from these biomasses by the slow pyrolysis method at different temperatures (300 °C, 400 °C, and 500 °C). Biochar samples with a smooth surface were synthesized from plantain rachis biomass, while biochar samples with a porous surface were obtained from cassava peel biomass. At the same pyrolysis temperature, all biochar samples derived from plantain rachis exhibited higher production biochar yields than those biochar samples derived from cassava peel. The yield percentages were determined to be 65.7% and 62.0% at a pyrolysis temperature of 300 °C; 45.6% and 37.5% at 400 °C; and 33.7% and 25.4% at 500 °C, respectively. XRD measurements revealed that both biomass-derived biochar samples were found to be enriched with several compounds, such as kalicinite, arcanite, sylvite, CaO₃Si, and MgO₃Si, which vary according to the pyrolysis temperature. FTIR analysis revealed the presence of carbonyl and carboxyl functional groups on the surface of all biochar samples. However, only the aliphatic functional groups were observed on the surface of the biochar samples derived from cassava peel. These characteristics are of particular relevance due to their potential application in soil amendment or water remediation. Full article

Lollipop sticks were developed with fully biobased materials made of different plantain by-products, using extrusion processing followed by hot compression molding. The thermoplastic matrix was constituted of flour and starch from plantain bunch pulp and plantain peel cake. At the same time, two types of reinforcement were used, one of them being yarn from the lignocellulosic fibers of the pseudostem sheaths to constitute the BC1 lollipop stick and the other directly from the plantain pseudostem treated sheath to establish the BC2 lollipop stick. The biobased lollipop sticks were characterized in the migration test, finding a higher structural stability in lipophilic foods, with chocolate chosen as a confection to undergo physicochemical, structural, mechanical, and dynamic–mechanical characterization when interacting with the two biobased lollipop sticks until post-consumption was reached. The BC2 lollipop stick was characterized by maintaining higher stability in maximum tensile strength (12.62 to 11.76 MPa), higher flexural strength (19.07 to 10.11 MPa), storage modulus (4.97 to 1.65 GPa at 30 °C), and Tan delta (66.90 to 52.64 °C). Full article

Plantain (Musa AAB Simmonds) of the Dominico hartón variety from two Colombian territories (Cauca and Risaralda) with differences in altitude was used to extract the flour and starch from the pulp and peel. The plantain of Cauca origin presented the highest yield in flour extraction. Starch extraction was based on the use of an aqueous solution of sodium metabisulfite, achieving the highest yield in starch extraction (above 80% d.b.) when using a concentration of 1.2% of sodium metabisulfite, highlighting the best performance in the plantain of Risaralda origin. In the characterization of the starches, the granules from the pulp showed a larger size, higher amylose content, lower ash content, lower water absorption and solubility capacity, higher melting enthalpy, and higher crystallinity than those obtained with the starches from the banana peel. The starch from Cauca pulp presented properties characteristic of a structure with higher hardness. Full article

The utilization of agricultural wastes in composite fabrication leads to attaining sustainability in manufacturing. This study investigates the use of plantain peel ash (PPA) as a reinforcement to fabricate Al/Mg/PPA composites using ball milling and spark plasma sintering (SPS) technology. The impact of PPA weight fraction and SPS parameters on Al/Mg/PPA composites’ densification and hardness were analyzed. Microstructural characterization revealed that the PPA reinforcement was uniformly distributed in the aluminum matrix with no considerable microstructural defects. The relative densities of the composites were higher at elevated sintering temperatures, with composites displaying reduced porosity as the sintering temperature rose. The composites also exhibited the highest micro-hardness of 77 HV, improving 86.89% over the sintered aluminum matrix (base material). The Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) results revealed that the sintering temperature and reinforcement material significantly influenced the relative density (RD) of the sintered composites, while the reinforcement material significantly influenced the micro-hardness. Conclusively, the composite samples made using agricultural waste derivatives possess good mechanical properties and are suitable for various industrial applications. Full article

This research aimed to evaluate the comparative biogas yields of waste (peels) of selected fibrous materials from the West African region: cassava, plantain, a mixture of cassava, plantain and yam. Three models: The Boyle model, the Modified Boyle’s model, and the Buswell and Müller’s model were used to determine the theoretical maximum biomethane potential (TBMP), while the Hohenheim Biogas Yield test (D-HBT) was used to undertake a batch test of anaerobic digestion. The samples were co-digested with digested sewage sludge (DSS) for 39 days, with an operating temperature of 37 ± 0.5 °C. The study draws comparisons between the TBMPs and the experimental results, the experimental results of the different substrates, and the experimental results and figures reported in the literature. From the experimental results, plantain peels had the highest biogas yield (468 ± 72 mL/g _oTS), followed by a mixture of yam, cassava and plantain peels (362 ± 31 mL/g _oTS) and cassava peels obtained the least biogas yield (218 ± 19 mL/g _oTS). TBMPS of 204.04, 209.03 and 217.45 CH₄ mL/g _oTS were obtained for plantain peels, a mixture of yam, cassava and plantain peels and cassava peels, respectively, evaluated using Boyle’s model. For all the samples, the TBMPS (205.56, 209.03 and 218.45 CH_{4 mL}/g _oTS, respectively) obtained using the Buswell and Mueller model were slightly higher than those obtained by both the Boyle and the modified Boyle’s model (163.23, 167.22 and 174.76 CH₄ mL/g _oTS, respectively). While the study result is sufficient to imply that generating biogas from fibrous waste materials in its mixture form is a valuable approach, it is not sufficient to conclude that the use of these waste materials in its naturally occurring mixture form has a technical added advantage in co-digestion over their individual potential. However, future studies could explore this possibility with different fractions of the mixture with a view to optimising generation. The study finds that theoretically modelling the biogas potential of fibrous materials is a good method for biogas evaluation despite having overestimation tendencies, as this challenge could be corrected by applying factors that result in these tendencies, biodegradability indices. The data can, therefore, find use in fibrous waste treatment and waste-to-energy technologies, especially in Africa. This application will not be negatively affected by whether single waste streams are used or their mixture. Full article

Dye contamination is a serious environmental issue, particularly affecting water bodies, driving efforts to synthesize adsorbent materials with high dye-removal capacities. In this context, eco-friendly and cost-effective materials derived from bioresidues are being explored to recycle and valorize waste. This study investigates the synthesis, characterization, and application of a biohydrogel made from unripe plantain peel (PP), modified with carboxymethyl groups and crosslinked using varying concentrations of citric acid (CA), an eco-friendly and economical organic acid. The materials were characterized by ATR-FTIR, TGA, and SEM, confirming the successful synthesis of hydrogels, which exhibited rough, irregular surfaces with micropores. Additionally, the materials were analyzed for their pH point of zero charge, swelling capacity, and methylene blue (MB) dye removal efficiency. The results indicate that the biohydrogel formed with 1% CA exhibited the most favorable characteristics for MB removal. Kinetic studies revealed that the adsorption mechanism is pH-dependent, with equilibrium being reached in 720 min. The Freundlich isotherm model provided the best fit for the adsorption data, suggesting a heterogeneous surface and a multilayer adsorption process, with a maximum retention capacity of 600.8 ± 2.1 mg/g at pH 4. These findings contribute to the development of cost-effective and efficient materials for dye removal, particularly from water bodies. Full article

This study investigated the structural and environmental recovery of weathered hydrocarbon-contaminated soils using low-carbon solutions and aimed to ascertain the suitability of the remediated soils for engineering purposes. 25% (w/w) of ground ripe (RPP) and unripe (UPP) waste plantain peels were each added to 1 kg weathered hydrocarbon-contaminated soil samples and monitored for 90 days. Biological, physicochemical, and engineering properties were analysed for all samples in triplicates. After 90 days of remediation, RPP and UPP nutrients degraded the mid-distillate hydrocarbon alkanes by 93% and 88%, while the heavier hydrocarbon alkanes were degraded by 83% and 85%, respectively. The polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) had 89% and 93% degradation for RPP and UPP-treated soils, respectively, while the natural attenuation sample had 28% degradation. The soil compressive strength increased by 16% and 19% for RPP and UPP-treated soils, respectively, whereas the natural attenuation soil compressive strength remained fairly constant. It was observed that the remediated soil cohesion, angles of internal friction, maximum dry density, and optimum moisture content all improved as the remediation proceeded, which subsequently showed that the remediation influenced the engineering properties of the contaminated soils. Therefore, the remediation of the contaminated soil improved the structural suitability of the soils. Full article